Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.

Grove House

Overlooking Schull Harbour, this beautifully restored period house offers quality, relaxed surroundings and great food just a few minutes walk from the main street, and is now run by Katarina Runske and her son Nico Runske, who has taken over as chef from her late mother Catherine Noren.

The approach is still less than immaculate, but landscaping has matured a little and slight untidiness around the house is not typical of the interior, where housekeeping is exemplary.

There is plenty of parking, and a terrace overlooking the harbour and all the activity on the pier is set up attractively with garden furniture and parasols, so you can relax with a glass of wine or lunch.

It is a pleasing house, and any period features have been retained in well-proportioned reception rooms. Katarina also teaches piano so there is music in the house, with a grand piano in the green room.

A lovely dining room, set up stylishly with simple contemporary linen and cutlery, the restaurant has earned a following for unique ingredients-led cooking with a distinctive Swedish flavour, and is now regarded as the best place to dine in the area.

About seven choices are offered on each course at dinner, and there are nightly seafood specials. The dishes offered are driven by the freshest produce available on the day, but the house signature dish - herrings three ways - is likely to be among the starters, and main courses may include other firm favourites like local duck in plum & red wine sauce, and Swedish meatballs.

Puddings are a highlight, also local cheeses - and excellent home-made breads may include an unusual light rye style brown, and a white yeast loaf.

Katarina is ‘wine mad’ and her informative list is extensive for a small place - you can sense the enjoyment she has had in making the selection, which includes real some treats, and wine service is also helpful.

Restaurant L 12.30-3.30, D 6.30-10.30; house wine €17.50, closed L Sun - Open weekend only off season, but can be opened on request. Accommodation is also available all year. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

On right beyond Church of Ireland Colla Road, 4 mins walk from village.